Gamer Con March 2017

Mr E

FAILSAFE 00 wrote: »

Is there any replay we can access of this interview.

Keep checking here: http://www.classichits.ie/category/podcasts/the-niall-boylan-show-podcasts/
Should be up later today or tomorrow...

dunworth1

anyone know how to refund from gamestop?

Mr E

Mr E wrote: »

Keep checking here: http://www.classichits.ie/category/podcasts/the-niall-boylan-show-podcasts/
Should be up later today or tomorrow...

The podcast is up there now.

Potential-Monke

Latest update from Ferdi:

Ferdi wrote:

To everyone who attended GamerCon Dublin this past weekend I would like to personally apologise for those of you who had a bad experience queuing for, or at the event. I am the event organizer, and I accept full responsibility and am deeply, deeply sorry to the Kids and families whose day was ruined by long queues both outside and inside the venue.

I accept completely that I got it wrong, and that the social response is largely justified in light of the experience that many people had. While I witnessed people enjoying the event on both days, that was completely overshadowed by the fact that many of you queued for hours and ultimately could not gain entry, or decided, understandably, to leave the queue. Reading people’s comments on social media I can see just how angered and frustrated people are. I accept that I and the decisions I made created that situation for you, your family or loved ones. This was never my intent, and for this I am incredibly sorry.

I want to apologise in particular to the kids who were affected by this. The Santa gifts and birthday gifts that included a GamerCon ticket did not deserve this and I am profoundly saddened and ashamed that this outcome is a result of decisions that I made as I planned this event. My intent was to deliver a Gaming event that Ireland could be proud of and that everyone could enjoy, not to create the very challenging circumstances that many people found themselves in on Saturday and Sunday.

This outcome should never have happened and the responsibility lies with me to ensure that it didn’t. To ensure that the venue was capable of handling the demand was my responsibility and this clearly caused the overwhelming majority of problems experienced on the day. How or why I made the choice to work with the Convention Centre is now immaterial and any previous comments I’ve made about the venue were not designed to pass blame on any party. I made the decision to use the venue, I sold the tickets and for attendees, that’s all that matters – I am the one responsible, irrespective of discussions or planning with any other party involved in the event. You deserved better and I accept that and want to reiterate how incredibly sorry I am for what happened.

I am working to ensure that refund requests are processed as quickly as possible and will continue to do so until everyone affected has had their questions responded to, or their ticket fee refunded as appropriate. Please bear with us while we work through that this week. Again, my deepest apologies.
Ferdi Roberts.
Founder. GamerCon

I still believe that he only wrote that to appease some people. I still think it was a blatant cash grab, and a terribly organised one at that. I can only hope he never has anything to do with gaming in Ireland again.

vrt12

It's a pity the queuing problem has gotten so much attention. The overwhelming gripe people I've spoken to about it and myself included was the **** poor show that was put on. His apology is empty. He claims to have listened to peoples feedback on social media but makes it out to be all about the queues. It was a bloody awful event and every single person should be refunded.

The man will still go on to make a profit. He'll never have anything to do with gaming again, the community will ensure that. That's he only consolation we can all take.

Retr0gamer

What a lying prick saying the queues and crowd control are the DCC's responsibility.

Kimbot

Retr0gamer wrote: »

What a lying prick saying the queues and crowd control are the DCC's responsibility.

That was a low blow alright but he has since backpeddled on that and taken the blame on himself.

Potential-Monke

jonnycivic wrote: »

That was a low blow alright but he has since backpeddled on that and taken the blame on himself.

Amazing what a bit of social media pressure will do. If he was genuinely sorry, he would have said so from the start. He's a chancer and it didn't go handy the way he wanted, he got met with the full force of annoyed gamers and parents, and he has no where to run or hide. As vrt12 said, the only consolation we can hope for is that he will never have anything to do with gaming in Ireland again.

Kimbot

Potential-Monke wrote: »

Amazing what a bit of social media pressure will do. If he was genuinely sorry, he would have said so from the start. He's a chancer and it didn't go handy the way he wanted, he got met with the full force of annoyed gamers and parents, and he has no where to run or hide. As vrt12 said, the only consolation we can hope for is that he will never have anything to do with gaming in Ireland again.

Oh i agree completely but when he was taking heat he passed it off everywhere and now due to Social Media he has backed off. I think the mods in the gaming forums could come up with something better for next year :P

Sunny Dayz

Wow that was a very different apology to the one he put up early yesterday evening:

GamerCon had 21,600 attendees through its doors over the course of this weekend. 11,000 on Saturday 18th and 10,600 on Sunday 19th. We clearly had challenges with queuing on Saturday When I was informed of this I made the decision to offer a refund to attendees who were outside and did not wish to queue further. We communicated this offer in person at the event, via social media and via our phone app.
Having debriefed from Saturday, a number of important changes were instituted based on the day’s experience with the result that there were minimal delays in queues outside on Sunday, with most attendees experiencing between 30 and 45 minutes queuing into the venue which we feel is to be expected with an event of this scale.
There were also issues with queues within the building. This was not under GamerCon’s direct control – the Convention Centre Dublin are responsible for people management and public safety within their building. The Convention Centre Dublin were fully aware of the ticket sales and expected numbers of attendees as this was discussed in the months leading up to the event.
As previously stated we will be proactively dealing with all refund requests in the coming week and will be in contact with these ticket holders individually over the next 5 working days.
Ferdi Roberts. Founder

Max Mafioso

jonnycivic wrote: »

Oh i agree completely but when he was taking heat he passed it off everywhere and now due to Social Media he has backed off. I think the mods in the gaming forums could come up with something better for next year :P

Is this a challenge for them? Cause they're going to have to accept that

Potential-Monke

I was only thinking, between the lot of us, we could organise something better. There's a wealth of experience here from members who have been involved in the organisation and running of LAN events and smaller (maybe even bigger) conventions. If we could get DeVore on-board to get boards to sponsor it, we could actually do something decent. Member on here could be paid to work the day as staff (in boards.ie garb with their usernames on the back if wanted), the usual PS and MS booths, and whatever else people can gather, smaller booths from individual or small group developers showing off their warez, the possibilities are there! I've even thought of a name for it!

Kimbot

Potential-Monke wrote: »

I've even thought of a name for it!

Boardscon? :pac:

MilesMorales1

Potential-Monke wrote: »

I was only thinking, between the lot of us, we could organise something better. There's a wealth of experience here from members who have been involved in the organisation and running of LAN events and smaller (maybe even bigger) conventions. If we could get DeVore on-board to get boards to sponsor it, we could actually do something decent. Member on here could be paid to work the day as staff (in boards.ie garb with their usernames on the back if wanted), the usual PS and MS booths, and whatever else people can gather, smaller booths from individual or small group developers showing off their warez, the possibilities are there! I've even thought of a name for it!

Pokemon tournaments are always fun

Potential-Monke

jonnycivic wrote: »

Boardscon? :pac:

Nope, but that's a good 'un!

Skerries

the PC section could be Mother-Boards, actually that should be the name for the PC Building and Upgrading forum

Shiminay

I guarantee you he didn't write that apology, he had a PR company do it. That man is incapable of writing that sort of a statement, his ego is way too big and he does not give a fig.

Edit:
Boards started as a site for the computer gaming community of Ireland, there have been dozens and dozens of great "amateur" computer gaming events organised here over the years. The interest simply fell off a cliff 8 or 9 years ago when the only people who wanted a LAN party (mostly CS at the time) couldn't understand why we didn't have a €10k prize pool and so wouldn't bother their holes to show up.

Nowadays, there is no LAN support for games anymore (barring a few odd exceptions). But I'll tell you what, if someone wants to put something on, I'll be happy to wade in.

kunst nugget

Potential-Monke wrote: »

I've even thought of a name for it!

Complete Con?

johnny_ultimate

jonnycivic wrote: »

I think the mods in the gaming forums could come up with something better for next year :P

No bother, but I'd advise putting your name down early for the five hour seminar on 'Defeating Video Game Consumerism: A Post-Marxist perspective' - there'll be free tea and biscuits.

FAILSAFE 00

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

No bother, but I'd advise putting your name down early for the five hour seminar on 'Defeating Video Game Consumerism: A Post-Marxist perspective' - there'll be free tea and biscuits.

kunst nugget

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

No bother, but I'd advise putting your name down early for the five hour seminar on 'Defeating Video Game Consumerism: A Post-Marxist perspective' - there'll be free tea and biscuits.

Can't wait for Robert Ninja's 'Gamergate's Not Dead You Know!' presentation…

johnny_ultimate

FAILSAFE 00 wrote: »

Pfft, they'll be there - no one can resist the sweet, sweet pull of custard creams.

MilesMorales1

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Pfft, they'll be there - no one can resist the sweet, sweet pull of custard creams.

I hate custard creams. Give me a nice chocolate digestive though, I'll listen to whatever you're saying...

Sieghardt

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

No bother, but I'd advise putting your name down early for the five hour seminar on 'Defeating Video Game Consumerism: A Post-Marxist perspective' - there'll be free tea and biscuits.

how many extra hours in the ball pit?

ibFoxer

Potential-Monke wrote: »

I was only thinking, between the lot of us, we could organise something better. There's a wealth of experience here from members who have been involved in the organisation and running of LAN events and smaller (maybe even bigger) conventions. If we could get DeVore on-board to get boards to sponsor it, we could actually do something decent. Member on here could be paid to work the day as staff (in boards.ie garb with their usernames on the back if wanted), the usual PS and MS booths, and whatever else people can gather, smaller booths from individual or small group developers showing off their warez, the possibilities are there! I've even thought of a name for it!

I would absolutely make myself available to help with this. Absolutely.

George White

ibFoxer wrote: »

I would absolutely make myself available to help with this. Absolutely.

I would too. I know people in the games journalism world, too.
And I know some possible guests, the likes of Charles "Broken Sword" Cecil.

ibFoxer

George White wrote: »

I would too. I know people in the games journalism world, too.
And I know some possible guests, the likes of Charles "Broken Sword" Cecil.

I could get a couple of streamers i know to do some stuff.

One of the lads who was with me, he used to work in designing games etc, some of the lads he used to work with went on to do some other stuff after, i had the idea of getting them to do short talks ala Ted Talks kinda stuff.

And i reckon i'm not the only one on boards who knows folks who could do some cool stuff, and that is why i do believe if everyone came together, it would fly.

(plus i have like 5 original xbox's for Halo LAN )

dunworth1

just received via email regarding my refund

Hi,

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay in responding and for any distress caused related to your refund claim.

To process any refund claims we have created the following process:

To ensure that we have an auditable refund process that both we (as the Seller) and you (as the Buyer) can refer to for progress of any refund claim we are reviewing all refund requests via EventBrite or Paypal (Depending on how you purchased).

Apologies if you have emailed us or completed a contact us form, but we cannot submit the claim for you via Eventbrite or Paypal, this must be initiated by you.

For their respective refund process please refer back to the email you received when you first purchased the ticket and you will see links to either EventBrite or Paypal. (Note: if you purchased via GameStop please use the EventBrite refund process as your GameStop codes will have been redeemed via EventBrite).

Please note that EVERY CLAIM MUST STATE THE ORDER NUMBER associated with the purchase of your GamerCon ticket and must be submitted within 14 days of the event date. Refunds requested after this date will not be considered.

In addition, we cannot accept refund requests via social media, or email as tracking these claims is unmanageable and unauditable. Please do not submit your claim via these channels.

Following this process above will result in your refund claim being processed more efficiently.


PLEASE NOTE THIS EMAIL IS FOR OUTBOUND INFORMATIONAL EMAIL ONLY. DO NOT RESPOND.

CiDeRmAn

jonnycivic wrote: »

Boardscon? :pac:

Depends, can anyone go or can I limit the number of trolls that get an invite?

Zwillinge

I got that email also and applied via Eventbrite.

I clicked "Event not as advertised" but am sure it'll just go through with ease. Bones crossed!

Hopefully this doesn't put off any more conventions going ahead or discourages the general public from taking their children to future ones that can be ran smoothly.

Max Mafioso

Zwillinge wrote: »

I got that email also and applied via Eventbrite.

I clicked "Event not as advertised" but am sure it'll just go through with ease. Bones crossed!

Hopefully this doesn't put off any more conventions going ahead or discourages the general public from taking their children to future ones that can be ran smoothly.

I tried to write a note on the request but i was only able to add 3 or 4 lines to explain why I choose "Event not as advertised" so couldnt really explain much.

Zwillinge

Max Mafioso wrote: »

I tried to write a note on the request but i was only able to add 3 or 4 lines to explain why I choose "Event not as advertised" so couldnt really explain much.

I just wrote down, "Requesting a refund, as promised by organiser"

I assumed they didn't need a personal account of what made national news.

challengemaster

Shiminay wrote: »

Nowadays, there is no LAN support for games anymore (barring a few odd exceptions). But I'll tell you what, if someone wants to put something on, I'll be happy to wade in.

The last dedicated big LAN I remember was Midlans. Before that was Gamecon in the Spa Hotel. These were obviously small compared to insomnia series etc in the UK. GameCon was IIRC <150 attendees. Midlans had capacity for about 400.

BYOPC so there was a lot of games played. Console gaming was starting to establish its presence at LAN and that added an extra element. But as you rightly said - CS:S dominated the scene and slowly every other game lost attention (and prize pool) to bump up the CS money on offer, because "it draws the most players and teams from abroad". The focus seemed to have shifted away from having an all-rounder successful LAN, to having a CS:S tournament with some other games on for people who didn't want to play CS or got knocked out early. This obviously pissed off everyone else and everyone stopped going. CS players because the prize money "wasn't enough" - Non CS players because it was now a CS event, essentially.

The most fun LANs for me were the ones where there was actual competitions in multiple games (each with their own modest prize pool), to the point where people were forming random teams on the day. Lack of internet connection. There was no stage for finals. There wasn't even defined prizes - it was a heap of sponsored goodies on a table and you hoped you were lucky enough to get to pick first). It didn't matter if you were a CS or CoD player or not, you still got a chance at having a go.

The scene has changed a lot since then and there's obviously opportunities to host something on a much larger and more professional scale now. I'd love to see a decent LAN in the country though.

moonlighting

+1 on bringing lans back. was there a lan forum on boards at one stage.

Stone Deaf 4evr

ibFoxer wrote: »

I could get a couple of streamers i know to do some stuff.

One of the lads who was with me, he used to work in designing games etc, some of the lads he used to work with went on to do some other stuff after, i had the idea of getting them to do short talks ala Ted Talks kinda stuff.

And i reckon i'm not the only one on boards who knows folks who could do some cool stuff, and that is why i do believe if everyone came together, it would fly.

(plus i have like 5 original xbox's for Halo LAN )

I also have an original xbox, still in great working order

ienduredQcon

I have made a complaint to the avertizing standards commission aparently te first all they got, and the consumer rights place I rang told me despite what anyone says like "no refunds" that you still have statutory rights and the three I wrote down are. Due care and attention, skills to provide a service, mere rials for for purpose. On all three counts he would in spirit be violating those rights, but he may have a good lawer I assume. And as far as fobbing himself off as gamercon ... And the false advertizing... He definitely needs as many complaints coming his way so he never does this to the public again. If anyone can share that info please do make a complaint to advertising standards and don't be put off by the no refunds crap, your statutory rights are still there.

George White

I know a few people who could do panels e.g. Diamanda Hagan - https://diamandahagan.wordpress.com/category/panel-2/

ebbsy

Yer man obviously didn't go to similar events to work out what to do.

Or maybe he doesn't know anything about gaming ?

George White

ebbsy wrote: »

Yer man obviously didn't go to similar events to work out what to do.

Or maybe he doesn't know anything about gaming ?

He claimed to have been to a few US expos, but yes, he doesn't seem the type to sit down and play for a while.

CatInABox

George White wrote: »

He claimed to have been to a few US expos, but yes, he doesn't seem the type to sit down and play for a while.

If all you do is watch people play, then you'll never experience the things that happen on a regular basis, like updating software, needing a network cable instead of using WiFi, etc. No wonder it all went down in flames.

challengemaster

CatInABox wrote: »

If all you do is watch people play, then you'll never experience the things that happen on a regular basis, like updating software, needing a network cable instead of using WiFi, etc. No wonder it all went down in flames.

Apparently a huge reason the LAN side of things went so badly was they refused to buy a bulk amount of network cables, and instead the admins spent most of their time Thursday (their only setup time in the venue) making Cat cables.

SolvableKnave

George White wrote: »

He claimed to have been to a few US expos, but yes, he doesn't seem the type to sit down and play for a while.

CatInABox wrote: »

If all you do is watch people play, then you'll never experience the things that happen on a regular basis, like updating software, needing a network cable instead of using WiFi, etc. No wonder it all went down in flames.

From today's Journal Article

‘Inspiration’
As well as heading up GamerCon, Roberts is chief operating officer at Sysnet, a cybersecurity firm that makes software for financial services providers.
Two years ago, he sold his cloud marketplace startup SaaS Markets to Sysnet and has previously held senior positions at Yahoo and Cisco.
Last year, Roberts said his decision to set up GamerCon was inspired by this time in Silicon Valley.

“My apartment was right next to the San Jose Convention Centre,” he said at the time. “I was exposed to large-scale conventions with 50,000 to 60,000 attendees in and around San Jose and San Francisco. They served predominantly as my inspiration.”

Vojera

^^

Ferdi Roberts wrote:

“My apartment was right next to the San Jose Convention Centre,” he said at the time. “I was exposed to large-scale conventions with 50,000 to 60,000 attendees in and around San Jose and San Francisco. They served predominantly as my inspiration.”

Or to translate, "Wow, these events sure do rake in a lot of money. I wonder how I could get a piece of that pie..."

Retr0gamer

The man was offered help for free and not only turned it down but insulted the people that offered it. So **** him basically. It's all on his head.

Sephiroth_dude

SolvableKnave wrote: »

From today's Journal Article

What a grade A Muppet!

Gunmonkey

Vojera wrote: »

Or to translate, "Wow, these events sure do rake in a lot of money. I wonder how I could get a piece of that pie..."

Its not even veiled, look at the article the Independent ran a few weeks back.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/games/now-pay-for-play-can-make-millionaires-out-of-gamers-35513815.html

All it seems to focus on is eSports and the millions flooding around the DOTA Invitationals and such.

I expect the expo-type events to continue to be popular but I would be very surprised if the esports side of the business doesn't eclipse that within two to three years. The growth is huge.

Which is kinda shocking considering how shoddily thrown together the main tournaments were:
-SFV needing updates
-the whole CSGO fiasco
-Rocket League needing your own Steam account (I wouldnt log into a random PC at an event, god knows what keyloggers could be installed...plus Steam Guard would be blocking most)

benny79

Did anybody get a refund Yet? I went through eventbite but I had a family ticket but only me and my eldest used it on the sunday after the disaster of Sat I wasnt bringing the missus and the little one so just looking for half a refund which I explained got a email saying the be in touch but that was last Monday!

kc66

benny79 wrote: »

Did anybody get a refund Yet? I went through eventbite but I had a family ticket but only me and my eldest used it on the sunday after the disaster of Sat I wasnt bringing the missus and the little one so just looking for half a refund which I explained got a email saying the be in touch but that was last Monday!

Nothing yet.

vrt12

I think the refunds are going to be handled even worse than the event. I'm taking no reply means no refund, I don't think they are organised enough to respond to everyone.

I'm giving them until weds before I put in a charge back claim with my credit card company.

Shiminay

That assumes there's even any money left for the refunds after costs have been paid...